Yesterday ,we arrived at the Black Sheep Inn , high in the Andes Mountains , our Christmas destination.

We stayed here back in Februaryand decided it would be a wonderful place to spend Christmas. http://www.blacksheepinn.com/ Log on if you would like to read about the place.

We left Cuenca Sunday morning & travelled 8 hours by bus to Guaranda , a quiet little town surounded by 7 hills. We decided to go there because our guidebook told us that the bus rides both to & from were amongst the most spectacular in the country. Unfortunately we were enveloped by fog most of the scenic part of the trip. Still we stayed 2 nights. On Monday morning we took a taxi 3km out of town to the top of a hill which is crowned by a 5m high monument , El Indio de Guarango , the Indian chief after whom the town is named. It was a beautiful day & we walked back downwith wonderful views of the surrounding countryside.

Tuesday night we spent in Latacunga having travelled there with some good views of snow-capped Volcan Chimborazo , the highest mountain in Eciador 6310m , its peak being the furthest point from the centre of the earth ( due to the earth's equatorial bulge ).

The journey to the Black Sheep , yesterday was once again the best bus-ride of our lives so far , most of the 4hour journey at dizzying heights on dirt - roads. Very exciting ( or nerve-racking , depending on how you view it )

Today we re-visited Lake Quilotoa a volcanic-crater lake. Thw water is deep green & with distant views of snow-capped Cotapaxi & Iliniza it was another beautiful sight. Tomorrow , Christmas Eve ..... horse riding !

We fly to Chile on 29 Dec. Won't spend any more time in Ecuador having discovered it back in Feb/March this year when we "did" the Galapagos , the Amazon jungle etc.

Happy Christmas. Feliz Navidad !